Board of Governors’ Meeting Highlights
TALLAHASSEE — Business leaders from Florida’s healthcare industry joined the Board of Governors to discuss future talent needs and how the State University System can address those needs. Healthcare is a uniquely important industry in Florida due to the large population and underlying demographics of the state. The Board of Governors has long recognized the significance of healthcare to the state and has designated it as a distinct category in the Programs of Strategic Emphasis (PSE), labeling all healthcare programs at all institutions as such.
The Board was joined by
- Mr. Pat Geraghty, President and CEO of GuideWell and Florida Blue;
- Mr. Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System; and
- Mr. Shane Strum, President and CEO of Broward Health.
“We are grateful for our healthcare partners as we are collectively committed to enriching the talent pipeline that produces high-quality graduates with diverse talents that will meet the needs of the healthcare industry,” said Syd Kitson, chair of the Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System of Florida. “Our universities generate research breakthroughs and innovations in healthcare and beyond, and I look forward to continuing this great dialogue.”
“The State University System is a credit to Florida, repeatedly proving itself a leader across numerous areas of study,” said Strum. “We had a meaningful discussion with the Board of Governors to address significant areas of opportunity within the healthcare industry and how together we can create dynamic new prospects for the region’s students and Broward Health caregivers.”
Degree productivity in healthcare has grown System-wide over the last five years by 18% at the undergraduate level and 12% at the graduate level. The State University System of Florida produced over 14,500 graduates in 2019-20 with the potential to gain employment in the healthcare industry. This total included over 3,600 registered nurses and more than 700 professional doctorates in medicine. Additionally, institutions provide technical and engineering graduates that support ancillary industries such as biotech research and development and medical device manufacturing.
“Florida Blue has been dedicated to enhancing the health of our communities for more than 75 years, and homegrown talent plays a key role in helping us drive impactful change on a hyper-local level,” said Pat Geraghty, president and CEO of Florida Blue. “This past year, nearly 90% of our hires have come from within the state of Florida – some as seasoned professionals and others directly from Florida’s educational system. By creating a productive talent pipeline, we’re ensuring that the unique needs of our communities are being met though a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve.”
Additionally, Florida’s public universities have been recognized by rankings organizations for excellence in healthcare-related academic programs. Most recently, U.S. News & World Report recognized the medical schools at the University of Florida (ranked 36th), the University of South Florida (ranked 48th), and the University of Central Florida (ranked 86th) in its 2022 best research medical schools publication.
“Jackson Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in our nation, and we are proud of our residency program in affiliation with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; as well as our nursing programs,” said Carlos A. Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System. “Each year, our future doctors and nurses come to Jackson to receive the highest quality training in almost every specialty from world-renowned medical experts.”
Other meeting highlights include:
- The Board approved the University of Florida Debt Authorization for the Gator Residential Complex.
- The Board approved the Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, at the University of Florida.
- The Board approved the termination of the Master of Science in Data Science, by New College of Florida, and the Ph.D. in Health Services Research, by University of Florida.
- The Board approved the Public Notice of Intent to Adopt Board of Governors Regulation 6.022 Intercollegiate Athletes.
- The Board approved the reappointment of Dr. Naren Kini, Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees.
For more information, consult the meeting’s official minutes at http://www.flbog.edu/. The Board’s next meeting is June 22-23, 2021 at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg.
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Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The System has 12 universities and more than 420,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the System’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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The mission of Florida Blue is to help people and communities achieve better health declares our purpose as a company and it serves as the standard against which we weigh our actions and our decisions. Our vision is to be a leading innovator enabling healthy communities is both the inspirational and aspirational description of the future state of our company. It is our framework and guides every aspect of our business. By broadening our scope and continuing to evolve, we have more flexibility to make a greater impact on as many people as possible.
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In over 100 years, Jackson Health System – a nonprofit academic medical system offering world-class care to any person who walks through its doors – has grown to become one of the nation’s largest public healthcare systems. As an integrated healthcare delivery system, it includes six hospitals, its centerpiece, Jackson Memorial Hospital, as well as Holtz Children’s Hospital, Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Project To Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center, Jackson South Medical Center and soon-to-open Jackson West Medical Center in Doral; multiple primary care and specialty care centers; two long-term care nursing facilities; and a network of urgent care centers.
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Broward Health, providing service for more than 80 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.